DNR report: May 21

Talk about it

Reports filed Sunday from conservation officers for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) worked with other area officers during the fishing opener and covered numerous lakes throughout the weekend. Anglers were largely unhappy with the numbers of fish they caught, but they were not complaining about the weather. Compliance was found to be 100-percent on PFDs and throwable devices throughout the weekend. Many anglers did not remember to keep their angling license in their possession while fishing, which resulted in enforcement action being taken.

John Velsvaag (Ely) wrote several citations for people fishing and keeping fish out of season in the BWCAW. He assisted with a timber wolf complaint and dealt with unregistered canoes.

Marty Stage (Ely) worked early fishermen in the BWCAW and encountered people fishing early for northerns and walleyes. As is often the case, the fish weren’t biting too well so a few people got off easy this year. One fisherman was observed using an extra fishing line Saturday. On the following day, since he was aware the DNR was around, he didn’t use his extra line again, but apparently couldn’t resist the urge to smoke his marijuana pipe in a secluded back bay of the lake.

Kipp Duncan (Duluth) prepared for the opener in the area. Time was spent focusing on early fishing activity and preparing equipment. Excellent weather brought out many people. Law enforcement compliance was the best Officer Duncan has seen with only a few violations encountered. Local officers focused on invasive species education at local boat landings and fishermen were very cooperative with making sure all water from their boat was removed. Time was also spent working with the sheriff’s department focusing on boating, fishing and safety equipment enforcement.

Randy Hanzal (Duluth) participated in a work detail along the St. Louis River specifically educating anglers about the spread of exotic species and providing information about the disease VHS which was recently discovered in the area. Several violations of people angling in a protected spawning area were dealt with. A presentation was given to over a hundred students at a local school about conservation as it relates to our forest.

Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) finished fire investigation reports during the week. He prepared equipment for walleye opener. He spent time working the Lester River, Lake Superior, Island Lake and St. Louis River over the weekend. Time was spent at the accesses educating anglers and boaters on how to avoid spreading invasive species to other bodies of water. Boating safety equipment compliance was excellent over the weekend. Enforcement action was taken for angling, fire, and ATV violations.

Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked anglers on a busy opening day on the St. Louis River. Information was given out to boaters about invasive species and how to prevent their spread. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating violations.

Keith Olson (Marine Unit) worked Lake Superior and the St. Louis River for the opener. The sunny weather produced many boats and anglers testing their luck. Olson estimates about 500 watercraft on the river opening day. Lake Superior was worked with a Wisconsin officer.

Tags: two harbors, dnr report, outdoors, fishing